Giles BARBER

Born: 22 Sep 1769

Died: 1826

General Notes:

LETTER (FLF- Jun 2001)Canton Dec 24th 1821To Hon Levi Barber Member of CongressSirI have been informed that you are the son of David Barber of Castleton Vermont deceased (I think) and grandson of Samuel Barber of West Simsbury (now Canton) deceased. My object in writing is to ascertain the fact respecting our relationship, to present you my respects, and solicit a correspondence. It gives me much pride (I hope that you will not think that to be wicked) to boast that some of our own are thought worthy of honor. Our family are more eminent for piety than talents, and their talents are not of the blustering kind. Elijah the last of my father's first wives' son died a little more than a year ago. Before he took his winged flight he requested me to write the Hon Levi Barber of Congress, but I informed him that I was not a member and I knew not his place of residence. I am able to give you as much information of your relations here as any man, and should be glad to inquire of you of some information of some of my relatives. I even have taken great interest in the proceedings of Congress, and have all the newspapers which I will even obtain and all the pamphlets our family strife has ingendered bound in volumes. I have not the honor to be known by any of the members from this state at present though I know Maj Reefs very well yet he does not know me. Excuse the egotism herein exhibited, accept my respects and please to return me an answer.Giles Barber

(FLF- Jun 2001)Canton Mar 18th 1822To Hon Levi Barber Member of CongressSirYour favor of the 19 of January was duly and thankfully received, and I should have written sooner had I dared obtrude my gibberish among the elegant love letters of Gen Jackson and Judge of Promentin. I will now give you some account of your relatives. Your Grandmother's name was Tryphena Humphrey of as good a family as any in the place, she died in January 1752 aged 32 and was the first white person buried in the limits of this town. The burying ground was given by her brother-in-law Joseph Willcox who was the second person buried there. Your Grandfather was one of the first settlers of West Simsbury remarkable for his skill in hunting which one time, as the Indians afterwards talk, deterred them from butchering the family. He died Jan 14, 1797 aged 84. Your Uncle Elijah left 3 children, 1 son David and two daughters in good circumstances.Probably you have already been informed that your Uncle Timothy died Apr 12, 1817 and left this property to Frederick Bandle, my sister's son) an industrious, pious, and laborious man. My mother who literally followed the divine direction of taking no thought for tomorrow died the 28 of Jul 1819 aged 93. She left 7 children: Tryphena, who is now Widow Johnson I believe now lives with her son in law Charles Warren at Darby Creek OH, Joel who lives within about 24 miles of Montreal Canada, Hannah who probably lives her son ( a holy man) in Columbia NY, Sarah who lives in this place, Asbel who lives in Canada and Jesse who lived in the town of Swanton VT in good circumstances but died March 24, 1813 in the state of New York 100 miles from here.No kind domestication so that his pale ghost only graced his funeral bier.Three of your mother's sisters married in this place. Pretience who married Jacob Barber. She died some years ago and left a large family who live some in this village and some in New York and Ohio. Another of your maternal aunts married Capt Uriah Case but died while young and left 4 children, 3 daughters and a son. 1 daughter is dead. 1 lives in the state of New York. 1 daughter Widow Taylor lives in Worthington Ohio. The son Uriah Case Jr I suppose lives somewhere near Scioto Ohio teaches a school ['master ingnoramus'- added later!]. Another of your aunts married Edward Case is now living in this place. She is a smart woman, has 4 children, 1 son and 3 daughters in easy circumstances.If we may judge of members of Congress by the newpapers, Randolph is much superior to any others. Such discourse in ancient times would have made the mountains or at least the the trees and savage beasts to dance but now as it was said of a bad fiddler he moves nothing but tongue his fiddle stick. Mr Wright's speech about * is much the best that I have seen.I wish that you would write to me agian before Congress adjourns.Accept my respiteGiles BarberTo Hon Levi Barber March 19. Just as I was going to the Post Office I had the satisfaction of receiving your favor and News Paper etc. I live 4 miles from the Post Office.